(Wouldn't you know it would be on that date.) This was for my routinely scheduled MS IV of a 1000 mg
of steroids. As usual it begins a period of fun and relaxation.

I arrived early and was promptly escorted to the 'IV Chamber' where I was seated next to
another MS patient plagued with an inquisitive nature. Before the IV was even started, this other
patient, Maggie, had my medical history and my views on Madonna's pregnancy. I would give
you Maggie's history but my column is limited.

An RN walks by in the hall, sticks her head in the room and asks, 'How's Meredith, Gary?'

The RN to do the deadly deed this month approaches me with a smile on her face holding a 18 gauge
needle already dripping with the liquid fire that will send me into orbit. She stabs me in the arm,
no vein. She wiggles the needle around, no vein. She plunges deeper, no vein. She smiles
and says, 'I never had this problem when I worked in the Congo. Even Meredith could hit your
veins. Let me go get some help.'

I sit next to Maggie who hasn't stopped giving her life story, as the needle dangles from my arm
preciously close to a vein and I think to myself, 'Why didn't I bring Meredith?'

In walks the IV Pro from Dover. 'Hi Gary, how is Meredith doing?' (If it is not clear to you by now,
my little girl has left an impression at the MS Clinic.) The Pro works the needle in my arm like a
Roto-Rooter and finally hits blood flow. Joy juice gushes into my body. As the Pro was leaving she
turns to me and says, 'I was thinking and It would be nice for you to let Meredith occasionally
give your BetaSeron injections. She would learn a lot and would love it.' My mind screams,
'EEE GADS!, the horror of it all!' I said, 'Ugh, I'll consider it.'

As I was leaving the clinic the Administrator looks up and says, 'Good-bye Mr. Brown. See you next month and bring
Meredith with you then.' I thought to myself, 'Maybe they wouldn't notice if I just sent Meredith in my place.'